With the summer holidays in full swing, the City of Cape Town has reported a strong start to its Identikidz child safety beach programme, with nearly 12 000 children registered in just two days.
The free programme, which began at participating beaches on Monday, has already helped reunite 11 lost children with their parents or caregivers.
The programme, which aims to keep children safe at some of Cape Town’s busiest beaches during the peak holiday season, tagged a total of 11 998 children within the first two days of operation.
On the programme’s first day, 3 079 children were registered, with no reports of missing or lost children.
By the second day, beach attendance surged, resulting in 8 919 registrations as large crowds flocked to the coastline. Eleven children were temporarily separated from their families on that day but were all successfully reunited.
The most popular beaches for Identikidz registrations so far have been Strandfontein, with 1 540 children registered, followed by Strand with 1 316, and Muizenberg with 1 120.
Through the Identikidz programme, parents and caregivers can register their children at participating beaches, where they are issued with an armband containing a unique serial number.
This number is recorded alongside the caregiver’s contact details, allowing officials to quickly trace and reunite children with their families should they become separated.
Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, said the high registration numbers highlight just how busy beaches become during the festive season.
“This initiative is completely free and will be available at some of our busiest beaches. If your children are joining other families or friends, please ask them to stop at the green container upon arrival and remember to give them your phone number before they leave home,” added Higham
The programme will run over 15 days, from 09:00 to 18:30, on selected dates between 15 December 2025 and 18 January 2026. Identikidz will be available at major beaches across the city, including Camps Bay, Muizenberg, Strand, Strandfontein, Big Bay and Monwabisi, among others.
READ MORE: City brings back Identikidz to keep children safe at busy beaches
